Obituary
Devan Lanier

Devan Rivers Maultsby (aka Lanier), aged 31, passed away peacefully on April 28th, 2024, at home, surrounded by her beloved family and friends. Born on March 27, 1993, in Raleigh, North Carolina, she attended and graduated from Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School. There she cultivated a profound love for reading, the drama program, and above all, showering affection upon her cherished friends and family. Devan radiated with an unwavering devotion to championing the underdog, coupled with an unparalleled capacity for love, loyalty, and boundless empathy. Her unwavering support for the LGBTQ community served as a testament to her unwavering principles and steadfast allyship. Her indelible impact extended far beyond her immediate circle, leaving an enduring legacy of kindness and generosity. For the past six years, Devan resided with her cousins, Alicia (Brent), and their family in Nashville. During this time, she played a pivotal role in nurturing her "adopted niece and nephew," Regan and Jackson, affectionately quipping that they were helping to raise her as much as she was guiding them. Devan will be profoundly missed by her mother, Sheri Lanier; her sister, Ty Maultsby; her grandparents, Sidney LeGrand and Linda Lanier; uncles, Payton (Jessie) Lanier and Sidney (Jodi) Lanier; great uncle, Bert (Phyllis) Lanier, great aunt, Phoebe (Barden) Lanier; 1st cousins, Sidney, Spicer, Amos, Rocky, Nicholas, and Payton; cousins, Dwight Lanier, Brent (Patty) Lanier, Brian (Marjorie) Lanier, and Alicia (Brent) Jones as well as her friends and extended family. She was the granddaughter of Paul and Jean Maultsby of Garner.  One of Devan's greatest joys in life was traveling, an activity she cherished alongside Sheri, Ty, Linda and LeGrand. Her adventures were not limited to physical journeys; she explored the realms of imagination through her love for Comic Cons, anime, and relishing Asian cuisine. Her insatiable appetite for reading served as a testament to her intellectual curiosity and zest for life. In honoring Devan's memory, may we all strive to emulate her unwavering compassion, boundless love, and unyielding advocacy for those in need. Anyone wanting to make a donation in her honor can make donations in her name to the Susan G. Koman Foundation (www.komen.org) or the Tennessee Equality Project (https://www.tnep.org)